Clare Frances Elizabeth Higgins (born 10 November 1955) is an English actress. She is a three-time winner of the Olivier Award for Best Actress; for ''

Sweet Bird of Youth ''Sweet Bird of Youth'' is a 1959 play by Tennessee Williams that tells the story of a gigolo and drifter, Chance Wayne, who returns to his hometown as the companion of a faded movie star, Alexandra del Lago (travelling incognito as Princess K ...

'' (1995), ''

Vincent in Brixton ''Vincent in Brixton'' is a 2002 play by Nicholas Wright. The play premiered at London's National Theatre with Jochum ten Haaf in the title role. It transferred to the Playhouse Theatre and later to Broadway. It focuses on artist Vincent v ...

'' (2003), and ''

Hecuba Hecuba (; also Hecabe; , ) was a queen in Greek mythology, the wife of King Priam of Troy during the Trojan War. Description Hecuba was described by the chronicler John Malalas, Malalas in his account of the ''Chronography'' as "dark, good eyes ...

'' (2005). She made her

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street ** Broadway Theatre (53rd Stre ...

debut in 2003 in ''Vincent in Brixton'', receiving a

Tony Award The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Broadway Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes excellence in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ce ...

nomination for Best Actress in a Play. Higgins is known to film audiences for her role as Julia Cotton in the horror film ''

Hellraiser ''Hellraiser'' is a 1987 British supernatural horror film written and directed by Clive Barker in his directorial debut. Based on Barker's 1986 novella ''The Hellbound Heart'', the film's plot concerns a mystical puzzle box that summons the ...

'' (1987) and its first sequel, '' Hellbound: Hellraiser II'' (1988). She also starred as Miss Cackle on the

CBBC CBBC is a British free-to-air Public service broadcasting in the United Kingdom, public broadcast children's television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is also the brand used for all BBC content for children aged 6 to 12. Its sister c ...

fantasy television series ''The Worst Witch'' (2017-2020), based on the children's book series of the name.

Early life

Higgins, the first of six children, was born in

Bradford Bradford is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in West Yorkshire, England. It became a municipal borough in 1847, received a city charter in 1897 and, since the Local Government Act 1972, 1974 reform, the city status in the United Kingdo ...

, to Paula Cecilia (

née The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...

Murphy) and James Stephen Higgins. Her parents were from working class

Irish Catholic Irish Catholics () are an ethnoreligious group native to Ireland, defined by their adherence to Catholic Christianity and their shared Irish ethnic, linguistic, and cultural heritage.The term distinguishes Catholics of Irish descent, particul ...

backgrounds,"At home and happy at last"
Telegraph.co.uk. and worked as teachers. Higgins was interested in acting from her childhood. After being expelled from a convent school, she ran away from home at seventeen. At 19, she gave birth to a boy, but gave him up for adoption at her social worker's insistence. Higgins is cousin to British American writer

Nicola Griffith Nicola Griffith (; born 30 September 1960) is a British American novelist, essayist, and teacher. She has won the Washington State Book Award (twice), Nebula Award, James Tiptree, Jr. Award, World Fantasy Award, ''Los Angeles Times'' Book Priz ...

Career

Theatre

At 23, Higgins graduated from the

London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) is a drama school located in Hammersmith, London. Founded in 1861, it is the oldest specialist drama school in the British Isles and a founding member of the Federation of Drama Schools. In ...

(LAMDA). Through the 1980s, she became a dynamic stage actress, both in London and on

. She starred in the premiere of David Hare's '' The Secret Rapture'', and won the first of her three

Olivier Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply The Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in professional theatre in London. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Aw ...

s in 1995. In 1983, she starred with

Ben Cross Harry Bernard Cross (16 December 1947 – 18 August 2020) was an English actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the British Olympic athlete Harold Abrahams in the 1981 film ''Chariots of Fire'' and for playing Billy Flynn in the or ...

in the

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

's serial version of

A.J. Cronin Archibald Joseph Cronin (Cronogue) (19 July 1896 – 6 January 1981) was a Scottish physician and novelist. His best-known novel is '' The Citadel'' (1937), about a Scottish physician who serves in a Welsh mining village before achieving succes ...

's ''

The Citadel The Citadel Military College of South Carolina (simply known as The Citadel) is a public senior military college in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Established in 1842, it is the third oldest of the six senior military colleges ...

'', playing the role of Christine Manson. Higgins appeared as Jocasta in the National Theatre's critically acclaimed production of ''

Oedipus Oedipus (, ; "swollen foot") was a mythical Greek king of Thebes. A tragic hero in Greek mythology, Oedipus fulfilled a prophecy that he would end up killing his father and marrying his mother, thereby bringing disaster to his city and family. ...

'', opposite

Ralph Fiennes Ralph Nathaniel Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes (; born 22 December 1962) is an English actor, film producer, and director. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Ralph Fiennes, various accolades, including a British Academy Film ...

in the title role. From April to May 2009, she appeared in

Wallace Shawn Wallace Michael Shawn (born November 12, 1943) is an American actor, essayist, playwright, and screenwriter. He is known for playing Vizzini in '' The Princess Bride'' (1987), Mr. Hall in '' Clueless'' (1995), Dr. John Sturgis in '' Young Sheldo ...

's ''The Fever'' at the

Royal Court Theatre The Royal Court Theatre, at different times known as the Court Theatre, the New Chelsea Theatre, and the Belgravia Theatre, is a West End theatre#London's non-commercial theatres, non-commercial theatre in Sloane Square, London, England, opene ...

. From mid-May to September 2009, she appeared as the Countess Rossillion in ''

All's Well That Ends Well ''All's Well That Ends Well'' is a play by William Shakespeare, published in the First Folio in 1623, where it is listed among the comedies. There is a debate about the date of its composition, with possible dates ranging from 1598 to 1608. ...

'' at the National Theatre (Olivier stage).

Film

For the big screen, Higgins played Julia Cotton in

Clive Barker Clive Barker (born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker, and visual artist. He came to prominence in the 1980s with a series of short stories collectively named the ''Books of Blood'', which established him as a leading horror author ...

's ''

'' (1987), based on Barker's novella ''

The Hellbound Heart ''The Hellbound Heart'' is a horror novella by Clive Barker, first published in November 1986 by Dark Harvest in the third volume of its ''Night Visions (book series), Night Visions'' anthology series. The story features a hedonist criminal ac ...

''. She reprised the role for

Tony Randel Tony Randel (born May 29, 1956) is a Portuguese/American film director and screenwriter. Early life Randel grew up in West Los Angeles and attended University High School. He went on to study at Santa Monica College before transferring to Calif ...

's '' Hellbound: Hellraiser II'' (1988). She was originally intended to play a major role in the third film, but requested her character be killed off at the end of the second film. Her other film credits include the Scottish film ''

Small Faces Small Faces were an English Rock music, rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboardist in 1966 ...

'' (1996). In 2000, she appeared in Catherine Cookson's ''The Secret'' mini-series as Maggie Hewitt, as well as in

Woody Allen Heywood Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American filmmaker, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades. Allen has received many List of awards and nominations received by Woody Allen, accolade ...

's ''

Cassandra's Dream ''Cassandra's Dream'' is a 2007 crime thriller drama film written and directed by Woody Allen. Shot in England, the film is a co-production between the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. The film premiered in secret in Avilés, Spai ...

'' (2007) and '' The Golden Compass'' (2007).

Television

On 30 September 2012, Higgins appeared in season 3, episode 3 of ''

Downton Abbey ''Downton Abbey'' is a British historical drama television series set in the early 20th century, created and co-written by Julian Fellowes. It first aired in the United Kingdom on ITV (TV network), ITV on 26 September 2010 and in the United St ...

'' as Mrs Bartlett, a friend of Mrs Bates who eventually helps in the release of Mr Bates from prison. On 14 November 2013, she appeared in the ''

Doctor Who ''Doctor Who'' is a British science fiction television series broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The series, created by Sydney Newman, C. E. Webber and Donald Wilson (writer and producer), Donald Wilson, depicts the adventures of an extraterre ...

'' mini-episode "

The Night of the Doctor "The Night of the Doctor" is a mini-episode of the British science fiction television programme ''Doctor Who''. It was made available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube on 14 November 2013, as part of the BBC One lead-up to the show's 50th anniversa ...

", which starred

Paul McGann Paul John McGann ( ; born 14 November 1959) is an English actor. He came to prominence for portraying Percy Toplis in the television serial '' The Monocled Mutineer'' (1986), then starred in the dark comedy '' Withnail and I'' (1987), which wa ...

as the

Eighth Doctor The Eighth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series ''Doctor Who''. He is portrayed by Paul McGann. The character was introduced in the 1996 TV film ''Doctor Who'', a back-door p ...

. Higgins played Ohila, the leader of the

Sisterhood of Karn The List of longest-running British television programmes, long-running BBC science fiction television series ''Doctor Who'' has an extensive Fictional universe, universe inhabited by a continuously expanding gallery of creatures and Extraterres ...

. In 2014, she appeared in the ''Father Brown'' episode "The Daughters of Jerusalem" as Dinah Fortescue. Higgins returned to the role of Ohila in 2015 in " The Magician's Apprentice", which originally aired on 19 September 2015, and in the series finale " Hell Bent" on 5 December 2015. The same year, she appeared in ''

EastEnders ''EastEnders'' is a British television soap opera created by Julia Smith (producer), Julia Smith and Tony Holland which has been broadcast on BBC One since February 1985. Set in the fictional borough of Walford in the East End of London, the ...

'', as prosecuting lawyer Hazel Warren. In January 2017, Higgins starred in CBBC's adaptation of Jill Murphy's ''The Worst Witch'' as Miss Ada Cackle, and her wicked twin sister Agatha.

Filmography

* ''Nineteen Nineteen'' (1985) * ''

'' (1987) * '' Hellbound: Hellraiser II'' (1988) * '' The Fruit Machine'' (1988) * '' Bad Behaviour'' (1993) * '' Circle of Deceit'' (1993, TV film) * ''

Fatherland A homeland is a place where a national or ethnic identity has formed. The definition can also mean simply one's country of birth. When used as a proper noun, the Homeland, as well as its equivalents in other languages, often has ethnic nation ...

'' (1994, TV film) * ''

'' (1996) * '' B. Monkey'' (1998) * ''

The House of Mirth ''The House of Mirth'' is a novel by American author Edith Wharton, published on 7 October 1905. It is a sharp, brutal, and destructive tragedy which tells the story of Lily Bart, a well-born but impoverished woman belonging to New York City's ...

'' (2000) * ''

Stage Beauty ''Stage Beauty'' is a 2004 romantic period drama directed by Richard Eyre. The screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher is based on his play ''Compleat Female Stage Beauty'', which was inspired by references to 17th-century actor Edward Kynaston made in t ...

'' (2004) * '' The Libertine'' (2004) * '' Bigger Than the Sky'' (2005) * '' Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont'' (2005) * ''

'' (2007) * '' The Golden Compass'' (2007) * '' Being Human'' (2009) * '' Toast'' (2010, TV film) * ''

A Fantastic Fear of Everything ''A Fantastic Fear of Everything'' is a 2012 British horror comedy film starring Simon Pegg, written and directed by Crispian Mills with Chris Hopewell as co-director. It is based on the novella ''Paranoia in the Launderette'' by Bruce Robinson, ...

'' (2012) * ''

The Syndicate ''The Syndicate'' is a British television drama series. It was written by Kay Mellor and is broadcast on BBC One. It sees five members of a betting syndicate win the lottery. Each series follows a different syndicate. The first series is se ...

'' (2012) * ''

I Give It a Year ''I Give It a Year'' is a 2013 romantic comedy film, written and directed by Dan Mazer in his directorial debut. It stars Rose Byrne, Rafe Spall, Anna Faris and Simon Baker. Set and filmed in London, it was released on 8 February 2013. Mazer w ...

'' (2013) * ''

'' (2013, 2015) * ''

The Worst Witch ''The Worst Witch'' is a series of children's books written and illustrated by English author Jill Murphy. The series are primarily about a girl named Mildred Hubble who attends a witch school and fantasy stories, with eight books published. ...

'' (2017-2020) * '' ''Into the Badlands'''' (2018) * '' Ready Player One'' (2018) * '' Cleaning Up'' (2019) * '' The Sandman'' (2022)

Selected theatre performances

* Countess Hechingen in ''The Deep Man'' by

Hugo von Hofmannsthal Hugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal (; 1 February 1874 – 15 July 1929) was an Austrian novelist, libretto, librettist, Poetry, poet, Playwdramatist, narrator, and essayist. Early life Hofmannsthal was born in Landstraße, Vienna, th ...

. British premiere directed by

Casper Wrede Baron Casper Gustaf Kenneth Wrede af Elimä, known as Caspar Wrede (8 February 1929 – 25 September 1998), was a Finnish theatre and film director. He was long active in the English theatre, co-founding the Royal Exchange theatre company in Man ...

at the

Royal Exchange, Manchester The Royal Exchange is a grade II listed building in Manchester, England. It is located in the city centre on land bounded by St Ann's Square, Exchange Street, Market Street, Cross Street and Old Bank Street. The complex includes the Royal Ex ...

(1979). * Alexa Rollo in ''Rollo'' by Marcel Achard. Directed by David Thompson at the Royal Exchange, Manchester (1980). * Judith in ''Blood, Black and Gold'' by Gerard McLarnon. World premiere directed by Braham Murray at the Royal Exchange, Manchester (1980). * Isabella in ''

Measure for Measure ''Measure for Measure'' is a play by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written in 1603 or 1604 and first performed in 1604. It was published in the First Folio of 1623. The play centers on the despotic and puritan Angelo (Measure for ...

''. Directed by Braham Murray at the Royal Exchange, Manchester (1981).

Awards and nominations

Higgins was awarded the

Laurence Olivier Theatre Award The Laurence Olivier Awards, or simply The Olivier Awards, are presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognize excellence in professional theatre in London. The awards were originally known as the Society of West End Theatre Aw ...

in 1995 (1994 season) for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in ''

'' at the

Royal National Theatre The National Theatre (NT), officially the Royal National Theatre and sometimes referred to in international contexts as the National Theatre of Great Britain, is a performing arts venue and associated theatre company located in London, England, ...

. She won the same award in both 2002 and 2005: in 2002 for her performance in ''

'' performed at the Royal National Theatre, Cottesloe and

Wyndham's Theatre Wyndham's Theatre is a West End theatre, one of two opened by actor/manager Charles Wyndham (the other is the Criterion Theatre). Located on Charing Cross Road in the City of Westminster, it was designed c. 1898 by W. G. R. Sprague, the arch ...

s, and in 2005 for her performance as

in the

Euripides Euripides () was a Greek tragedy, tragedian of classical Athens. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians for whom any plays have survived in full. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to ...

tragedy at the

Donmar Warehouse The Donmar Warehouse is a 251-seat, not-for-profit Off-West End theatre in Covent Garden, London, England. It first opened on 18 July 1977. Sam Mendes, Michael Grandage, Josie Rourke and Michael Longhurst have all served as artistic direc ...

. She was awarded the 2002

London Critics' Circle Theatre Award The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards, known as the Drama Theatre Awards until 1990, are British theatrical awards presented annually for the closing year's theatrical achievements. The winners, from theatre throughout the United Kingdom, are selec ...

for Best Actress for her performance in ''Vincent in Brixton''. Additionally, she was awarded the 1994 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre) for Best Actress for her performances in '' The Children's Hour'' and ''Sweet Bird of Youth''. She was also awarded the 2002 ''London Evening Standard'' Theatre Award for Best Actress for her performance in ''Vincent in Brixton'' at the

in London. In 2003, she was nominated for a

as Best Actress in a Play for ''Vincent in Brixton'' on Broadway, and garnered the 2003

Theatre World Award The Theatre World Award is an American honor presented annually to actors and actresses in recognition of an outstanding New York City stage debut performance, either on Broadway or off-Broadway. It was first awarded for the 1945–1946 theatre se ...

for outstanding major Broadway debut.

References

External links

*
Interview 07/2003 (''The Independent'')
{{DEFAULTSORT:Higgins, Clare 1955 births Living people 20th-century English actresses 21st-century English actresses Actresses from Bradford Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art Audiobook narrators Critics' Circle Theatre Award winners English film actresses English people of Irish descent English radio actresses English Shakespearean actresses English television actresses Laurence Olivier Award winners Theatre World Award winners